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Biology and Physiology of Reproduction (BIOFREZ)

The overall objective of the group of Biology and Physiology of Reproduction is the increase and improvement of the reproductive success in wild and domestic animal species, focussed on the ovine species.

The group's work deals with basic and applied research in the areas of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Animal Production. The specific objectives of the group cover different aspects of Cell and Molecular Biology and Animal Production related to the following topics: reproductive management that directly affects the fertilizing capacity of semen doses, embryonic development and fertility, and therefore, the efficiency and performance of farms.

The main objectives are:

Selection of semen doses with high fertilizing capacity

Sperm cryopreservation protocols

Preparation of semen doses "sex-directed"

Capacitation and acrosome reaction mechanisms

"In vitro" fertilization development

Undernutrition effect on reproductive performance of sheep

Optimization of superovulatory treatments in recovering of endangered breeds

Effect of undernutrition on reproductive yields of sheep embryo donors undergoing superovulation treatments, and recipients of embryos in MOET programs

Electronic Animal Identification

Our group maintains several research projects of national, regional and international institutions. We collaborate in the development of national and regional plans within the livestock area, in particular the Improvement of Animal Production Technology, and in turn, within the objective of Improving Reproductive Technologies in livestock species. Our studies are focused on basics, technology and methodology of breeding sheep that are potentially transferable to the sector. For this purpose, we maintain close cooperation with the CENSYRA (Local Government) and associations of producers in Aragon with significance in the ovine sector, such as the âAsociaciÃ³n Nacional de Criadores de Ovino de la raza Rasa aragonesa (ANGRA) y AsociaciÃ³n Cooperativa Pastores

The aim of this line is to develop an efficient method for freezing ram semen. We are interested in the sperm subpopulations freezability for the management of gene banks resources. This research line takes into account aspects of cell damage that are not reflected in the classical parameters of semen quality, such as apoptosis, mitochondrial functionality and others. Furthermore, we are trying to clone proteins of 14, 20 and 22 kD from seminal plasma with capacity to protect and repair the cold-shock damage due to cryopreservation. Also,the selection and isolation of semen doses enriched in specific characteristics, particularly in sperm carrying the Y or X chromosome. â¨The group is developing other molecular studies leading to the control of sperm maturation, capacitation and acrosome reaction, and the process of apoptosis.

Physiological basis of the reproductive efficiency improvement.

Ovine species issued as a model for the improvement of farm animal reproductive efficiency. We study the possibilities of getting an adequate fertility and prolificacy at each mating or insemination, as a result of optimal evaluation and control of both sexual activity and the growth and follicular development, determining the ovulation rate. â¨It attempts to optimize the influence of controllable factors at farm level on these parameters, both environmental (melatonin) and nutritional and social conditions. â¨We also analyse the influence of these factors on the mechanisms that determine embryo viability at the stage of free life of the embryo, studying steroid receptor and oxytocin endometrial and oviductal concentrations, and endometrial plasma levels of prostaglandins and metabolic hormones. â¨Furthermore we also analyse the production of interferon tau by the embryo in the moments before implantation.

Background:

The group has obtained interesting results since 1993, presenting a wealth of about 60 publications in SCI journals in the last 5 years, and the realization of 9 Doctoral Theses. A total of 25 national and international research grants have been achieved during this time. We maintain an active partnership with many other groups of researchers from different countries. This aspect is reflected in the realization of common projects and by the continued presence in our laboratory of researchers from different centres.

The Group's expertise is focused on two lines: cellular and molecular sperm biology, and physiology of reproduction. In turn, these are reflected in the following aspects that are the basis of undertaken projects: sperm quality, selection of sperm dosesenriched in specific characteristics, cryopreservation protocols, the effect of melatonin to improve the ovulation rate and litter size, the effect of undernutrition on the embryonic development, the use of embryo transfer for the recovery of populations and the hormonal response linked to the reproductive processes.